What's the "grit" rating of a Coticule hone?

It's a wrong question, but since so many keep posing it, let's try to answer it anyway.Coticules fundamentally differ from synthetic hones in the way they abrade steel. Depending on how they are used, the rate of stock removal is variable, the level of polish is adjustable, and how fine the edge can be defined is changeable as well. How on Earth can that be reflected in a short and simple "grit" designation? For a true understanding, an in-depth explanation about the abrasive particles of Coticules, explains where that versatility originates.

Cutting SPEED:

heavy, almost paste-like slurry: 1000 - 2000 grit.

regular, milk-like slurry: 4000-6000 grit

thin, misty slurry: 8000-12000 grit

water: 16000 grit - or even slower.

KEENNESS level

heavy, almost paste-like slurry: 600 grit, although less aggressive because the absence of a sawtooth pattern

regular, milk-like slurry: 2000 grit, although less aggressive because of the absence of a sawtooth pattern

thin, misty slurry: 6000-8000 grit

water: 10000 - 15000 grit

SMOOTHNESS level

slurry: surface looks sandblasted on a micro-scale

very thin slurry: can be used to tone down harsh edges, very friendly for sensitive skin.

water: will add smoothness to the feel of almost any other polish level without removing keenness up to 15000 grit.